Bamboos are the largest members of the grass family, with some of the species reaching up to 35 m in height. It is the fastest and naturally growing, (without pesticides or fertilisers) woody plant in the world. One Japanese specie has even been recorded growing over 1 metre in a day.

Bamboo is an excellent source for making knitting needles, because of its natural superb strength and flexibility. Needles made of bamboo have a smooth surface, very comfortable hold, and do not drain heat from the fingers the way all metallic needles do. These knitting needles are made of 4-5 year old Japanese Moso bamboo - the strongest kind of bamboo with the sufficient length between joints. It is harvested during the dry season, between October and March.

FYI Being a giant grass, bamboo have a long juvenile vegetative period (from 7 to 100 years). Wise gardeners choose species that are not at risk of flowering, because some bamboo plants (usually climbing types) can die after such stress.
- Reference: Flora, The Gardener's Bible by Sean Hogan.